Section: Politics on the Hudson

The state budget may have been completed on time, but the state still faces serious fiscal challenges, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said in a report today. The $136 billion budget, adopted March 28, relies on more than $4 billion in temporary and non-recurring revenue and $5.1 billion in federal assistance for… ?The post DiNapoli warns about state’s fiscal challenges appeared first on Politics on the Hudson. …

Ten days after the corruption arrest of one of its own, the Senate’s Independent Democratic Conference proposed a broad package of changes to the state’s oft-criticized campaign-finance laws, including an end to the endorsement law at the center of the case against Sen. Malcolm Smith. The IDC’s plan, sponsored by… ?The post After Malcolm Smith’s arrest, Senate IDC pushes reform plan appeared first on Politics on the Hudson. …

New Yorkers for Life, a group that opposes abortion, will hold a candlelight vigil Monday outside the state Capitol protesting a bill that would codify federal abortion rights in state law. Opponents claim the bill, which is part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Women’s Equality Act, will lead to expanded access… ?The post Pro-life group to hold silent candlelight vigil appeared first on Politics on the Hudson. …

Rockland County Clerk Paul Piperato plans to seek re-election in November. The Thiells Democrat will make a formal announcement Monday at Jimmy’s on Main restaurant in Nanuet. Piperato has enjoyed support from across the political aisles and was elected county clerk in 2005 and re-elected in 2009. He previously served… ?The post Rockland County Clerk Paul Piperato to seek third term appeared first on Politics on the Hudson. …

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino has scheduled his State of the County Address for April 23 at 7 p.m. at the Westchester County Courthouse. Astorino used last year’s State of the County to announce the first of several contract settlements that included health contributions by employees and to talk about… ?The post Astorino sets State of County Address for April 23 appeared first on Politics on the Hudson. …

The state’s power authority funded 83 projects aimed at making public buildings more energy efficient last year, upgrades that totalled more than $88 million, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office. The New York Power Authority is set to release a list today of all the completed projects, ranging from a… ?The post Cuomo, NYPA tout energy projects at public buildings appeared first on Politics on the Hudson. …

Gov. Andrew Cuomo nominated a candidate for chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, the public transportation organization that serves New York City and its northern suburbs. Cuomo nominated Thomas Prendergast, who now serves as president of MTA New York City transit. Pending confirmation by the state Senate, Prendergast… ?The post Cuomo nominates new chief for New York City public transit appeared first on Politics on the Hudson. …

Support for lifting New York’s ban on mixed-martial arts has grown over the past 11 months, according to a new poll. A total of 43 percent of registered voters now want the state to rescind its ban on professional bouts, Siena College found. That’s up from 32 percent in May… ?The post Siena Poll: Support grows for legalizing mixed martial arts appeared first on Politics on the Hudson. …

State Police say they aren’t to blame for a mixup that led to the suspension of an Erie County man’s pistol permit, suggesting fault should lie with county officials. A quick refresher: David Lewis, a 35-year-old college librarian, was told by the Erie County clerk’s office to surrender his pistol… ?The post State Police: SAFE Act mixup not our fault appeared first on Politics on the Hudson. …

A complaint has been filed with the state Joint Commission on Public Ethics against Assemblyman Steve Katz, R-Yorktown, Westchester County, after he was charged last month with marijuana possession and speeding on the state Thruway. Carol Meissner, who lives in Patterson, Putnam County, and is secretary of the county Democratic… ?The post JCOPE complaint filed against Assemblyman Steve Katz appeared first on Politics on the Hudson. …